UnitDC

V
Motors
 D.C Motors
 A DC motor converts Electrical energy into Mechanical energy.
 Construction : Same for Generator and motor.
 Working principle : Whenever a current carrying conductor is
placed in a magnetic field, the conductor experiences a force
which tends to rotate it.
 D.C Motors - Types
 DC motors are mainly classified into three types as listed below:
 Shunt motor
 Series motor
 Compound motor
 Differential compound
 Cumulative compound
 Back EMF in D.C Motors
 As the armature conductors are rotating inside a magnetic field,
an emf is induced in the armature as in the case of a DC generator.
 According to the Lenz’s law, the direction of the induced emf will
be such that it opposes the cause producing it .
 In a DC motor, the supply voltage is the cause and hence this
induced emf opposes the supply voltage.
 Hence it is called Back emf or Counter emf.
 Torque in D.C Motors
 The turning or twisting force about an axis is called torque .
 P = T * 2 πN/ 60
 Eb Ia = Ta * 2 πN/ 60

 T ∞ φ Ia

 Ta ∞ Ia2
 Characteristics of D.C Compound Motor
(i)
  T Vs Ia

 Ia increases when load on the motor increases.

 Series field flux increases.
 Hence torque increases.
 Torque is more compared to shunt motor and
less compared to series motor.
 Characteristics of D.C Compound Motor
(ii)
  N Vs Ia

 Ia increases when load on the motor increases.

 V – Ia.Ra decreases and hence N decreases.
 Increase in Ia increases ɸ. Hence N decreases.
 Reduction in N is more than in shunt motors.
 Characteristics of D.C Compound Motor
(iii)
  N Vs T

 For torque T to be increased, the armature

current Ia should increase.
 When Ia increases, the speed N decreases.
 Increase in Ia increases ɸ. Hence N decreases.
 Reduction in N is more than in shunt motors.
Comparison of DC Motor Characteristics
 Speed Control of DC Motors
  The speed of a d.c. motor is given by:

 From the above expression, it is clear that there are three main methods 
of controlling the speed of a d.c. motor, namely:
 By varying the flux per pole – Flux control method.
 By varying the resistance – Armature control method.
 By varying the supply voltage – Voltage control method.
 Speed Control for DC Shunt Motors
  Flux control method

 The field current If is decreased by increasing 
the field resistance.
 Flux ɸ decreases as it is directly proportional 
to If.

 Hence speed N of the motor increases.
 In this method, the motor speed can be increased above rated speed.
 Speed Control for DC Shunt Motors
  Armature control method

 Ra  is  increased  by  increasing  the  control 

resistance RC.
 Armature  voltage  drop  increases  and  hence  the 
speed decreases.

 In this method, the motor speed can be decreased below rated speed.
 Speed Control for DC Shunt Motors
  Voltage control method
 Starting of DC motors – Necessity of Starters
 We know that in a DC motor, the back e.m.f.,
 

 At starting, when the motor is stationary, back e.m.f. is zero.

 If  the  motor  is  directly  switched  on  to  the  supply,  the  armature  will  draw  a 
heavy current from the supply because of small armature resistance.
 Necessity of Starters – Example
 5  H.P.,  220  V  shunt  motor  has  a  full-load  current  of  20 A  and  an  armature 
resistance of about 0.5 ohms. If this motor is directly switched on to supply, it 
would take an armature current of 220/0.5 = 440 A which is 22 times the full-
load current. 
 This high starting current may result in:
 burning of armature due to excessive heating effect
 damaging the commutator and brushes due to heavy sparking
 excessive voltage drop in the line to which the motor is connected
 Control of Starting Current
 In  order  to  avoid  excessive  current  at  starting,  a  variable  resistance  is 
inserted in series with the armature circuit. 
 This resistance is gradually reduced as the motor gains speed and it is cut 
out completely when the motor has attained full speed. 
 The value of starting resistance is generally such that starting current is 
limited to 1.25 to 2 times the full-load current.
 Control of Starting Current
 In  order  to  avoid  excessive  current  at  starting,  a  variable  resistance  is 
inserted in series with the armature circuit. 
 This resistance is gradually reduced as the motor gains speed and it is cut 
out completely when the motor has attained full speed. 
 The value of starting resistance is generally such that starting current is 
limited to 1.25 to 2 times the full-load current.
Two Point Starter
Three Point Starter
Four Point Starter
 Testing of DC Motor
 Brake test

 Swinburne’s test

 Hopkinson’s test
 Retardation test
 Swinburne’s Test
 In this method, the d.c. machine (generator or motor) is run as a motor at 
no load and losses of the machine are determined.
 Once the losses of the machine are known, its efficiency at any desired 
load can be determined in advance.
 This method is applicable to those machines in which flux is practically 
constant at all loads e.g., shunt and compound machines.
 Swinburne’s Test

Data Observed
 Supply voltage V = __ volts
 No load shunt field current Ish = __ amps
 No load armature current Ia0 = __ amps
 Swinburne’s Test – Calculation of Constant Loss
 
 Efficiency of the Machine when Running as Motor
 
 Applications of DC Motors
Shunt Motor:
 Blowers and fans

 Centrifugal and reciprocating pumps
 Lathe machines

 Machine tools

 Milling machines 

 Drilling machines
 Applications of DC Motors
Series Motor:
 Cranes 

 Hoists , Elevators
 Trolleys

 Conveyors

 Electric locomotives
 Applications of DC Motors
Compound Motor:
 Rolling mills

 Punches
 Shears

 Heavy planers

 Elevators